SIRT probing incident between suspect and police dog in Saskatoon

Saskatchewan’s Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) has been called in to investigate after a suspect was bitten by a Saskatoon police dog during an arrest.

In a media release Monday, the team said it got a notification Thursday morning from the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) about an incident that happened early that morning.

Police told SIRT that at about 3:30 a.m., a patrol unit saw a suspicious vehicle near the intersection of Avenue R and 21st Street.

“As the patrol unit turned to begin a traffic stop, the vehicle fled and within seconds left the road, entering a park where it collided with a bench, disabling the vehicle,” the release said. “An occupant of the vehicle, a 32-year-old male, then attempted to flee on foot.

“A police service dog was used to track the man, who was discovered hiding between garages in a nearby alley. During his arrest, the man sustained a serious injury to his arm as a result of contact with the police service dog.”

Police said the man was taken to hospital for treatment and then released.

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The Saskatoon police then contacted SIRT. Its civilian executive director, Greg Gudelot, and four investigators immediately started their probe into the man’s encounter with the police dog, with a community liaison joining the team.

The release said the investigation “will examine the conduct of police during this incident, including the circumstances surrounding the man’s arrest and the cause of his injury,” with a final report to be issued within 90 days of its conclusion.

Meanwhile, Saskatoon police will continue their investigation into the man and the actions that led to his arrest.

“SIRT’s mandate is to independently investigate incidents where an individual has died or suffered serious injury arising from the actions of on- and off-duty police officers, or while in the custody of police, as well as allegations of sexual assault or interpersonal violence involving police,” the release said.